Unless, of course, he’s in a meeting. McCarty, the new EastSide Centre director and East Peoria’s Director of Tourism & Special Events, was taking in the morning session of the small-school state finals on Friday.

In January, he was hired to replace Dan Cunningham, who left to become the manager of the proposed Louisville Slugger Sports Complex. Since then, McCarty has seen one big change in his job.

“A lot of meetings,” the former EastSide grounds manager said with a laugh.

The 11-year veteran of the East Peoria complex has seen his role expand way outside of the diamonds. He’s working almost daily with East Peoria Chamber of Commerce executive director Rick Swan on a range of events in the new levy district like an Easter Seals race along with an upcoming car show and art fair.

In the winter, McCarty also will be doing more with the Festival of Lights.

“There’s a lot more bouncing around and trying to continue to keep what we have at EastSide,” he said, “but yet expand and bring more events to town, maybe non-athletic, and just general tourism.”

There is one place that you count on finding McCarty if he has a free minute.

“If I do have a day where I can get out (of the office), I still like to get to the diamonds and enjoy being outside,” he said.

McCarty has hired Joel Rieker, an Iowa State graduate with a horticulture degree and former Peoria Chiefs grounds crew member, as his replacement.

TIGER TALES: Illini Bluffs coach Nancy Meyer was on the other side of the fence at the state finals this season.

Last season, the Tigers took fourth place in Class 1A, but fell to West Prairie 4-2 in the sectional final this season. Meyer said all the feelings from last year rushed back as soon as she walked into EastSide Centre.

“It makes you sad in a way, only because you know what a neat thing it is for the kids and you want that for the kids,” she said. “I wanted to experience it again, so they could really take it all in.

“But oh my, did we have fun. It was the best group of kids to ever take to the state tournament.”

Meyer, who just wrapped up her 20th season and holds a career record of 417-126 (.768), wasn’t alone in reliving last season’s run. Assistant coach Steve Bishop was on hand, along with sophomore players Carly Scott and Abbi Schafer.

Page 2 of 2 - Talk then turned to next season. The Tigers lose one senior from a young team that finished 13-14.

“We’ll be older,” Meyer said. “We won’t have the excuse of being young next year. We won’t be able to use that.”

WELCOME HOME: The West Prairie Athletic Boosters will host a reception at 5:30 p.m. Saturday in the high school gym to honor the team.

The players and coaching staff will be introduced and a presentation of the state trophy will be made. Everyone is welcome.

YELLOW FEVER: Princeville native Fred McNeeley was the first-base umpire during the 1A semi between Campbell Hill Trico and Amboy. It was the second state finals for the Illinois Coaches Association Softball Umpire Hall of Famer. ... Umpires from the Central Illinois Softball Association, including Al Cornish, Barry Pepper and Roger Holzhauer, were among the many volunteers working the state finals. ... Illinois State head coach Melinda Fischer and recruit Sarah Finck, an East Peoria senior, shared a moment after the Raiders’ practice for Saturday’s Class 3A sectional title matchup with Metamora. ... There was, of course, great food at EastSide Centre with Darren Lowery grilling delicious pork chops and Cathy Gross supplying her famous popcorn.

ADAM DUVALL is a Journal Star sports reporter. He can be reached at 686-3207 or aduvall@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @AdamDuvall.